Speakers

Joy Beckerman is the Principal at Hemp Ace International, a Seattle-based global Cannabis consulting and brokerage firm. After opening the first hemp store in New York in the early 1990’s, Joy served as Secretary to the Vermont Hemp Council upon passage of the first Vermont hemp bill in 1996. She then commenced an extensive dual career as a compliance and complex civil litigation paralegal supporting Seattle’s elite counsel. Learn more…

Chris Bennett is widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities on the history of cannabis, having written dozens of articles in Cannabis Culture, High Times, and other magazines as well as three books dealing with the subject. Learn more…

David Bernard-Perron is an Agrologist and has a Master of Science in Plant Sciences from McGill University. He began working in greenhouse production in 2001 and worked for McGill in the Greenhouses and Horticultural Research Center for five years. Learn more…

Angelina Angelina is a Muaythai fighter who has spent 10 years training and fighting in Thailand and Canada. Ript runner, Chosen Calisthenics athlete and the first Canadian female to fight Muaythai in China. With multiple injuries and dietary restrictions she had a lot to learn about the recovery process and that the sugary edibles available aren’t a viable option to fight inflammation in the body. Learn more…

AC Braddock is the CEO of the industry’s most innovative and respected extraction technology company and a career entrepreneur. She has a keen eye for new trends, product placement, business strategy and creating a strong corporate culture and infrastructure for effective growth. Learn more…

John W. Conroy QC has been practicing law since 1972. He was appointed Queens Counsel in 1996. He practices primarily as a criminal defence lawyer as well as in related constitutional, administrative and other civil matters. He has appeared in the courts at all levels including several appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada. Notable cases and clients have included the Steinhauser Hostage taking at the BC Pen (1977), the Squamish 5, (1983), Renee Boje, Marc Emery, Michelle Rainey, Watermelon, Philippe Lucas, Ken Hayes and Randy Caine. He is also counsel to the BC Compassion Club Society, the Vancouver Island Compassion Club Society and the West Coast Prison Justice Society (that runs BC Prisoners legal Services). Learn more…

Antoinette Cruz is an Indigenous Activist, Cannabis Ambassador and an advocate for social and climate change. Born in Chilliwack, BC and raised with extensive knowledge of Cannabis/ Hemp and the benefits, Antoinette is bringing change to indigenous communities nation wide. In March 2017, voted in as the BC Representative of the National Indigenous Medical Cannabis Association, Antoinette is now prepared to delegate positions for the BC chapter of NIMCA named British Columbia Indigenous Cannabis Association, finalizing positions in June 2017. She also distributes a variety of Hemp products by Hemptopia Canada, Organically grown Hemp seeds, oil, protein powder to retail locations. Learn more…

Ian Dawkins As the President of the newly-amalgamated Cannabis Commerce Association of Canada (CCAC), Ian Dawkins is dedicated to ensuring small and medium-sized cannabis businesses are able to participate in a free and fair legal cannabis marketplace. With an extensive background in government relations and small business policy, Dawkins believes that the time has come to treat the cannabis sector like the dynamic, exciting economic opportunity that it is. Learn more…

Dori Dempster has been the Executive Director of The Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary since its opening in 2008. She is a cannabis patient and advocate, almost wife to Tim for nine years, and the proud mother of three grown sons. Dori started working in the cannabis industry in 2005 as a mail clerk sending seeds around the world from The Vancouver Seed Bank and then she opened the doors three years later with Dana Larsen to The Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary. Learn more…

Andrea Dobbs is a holistic health enthusiast and career entrepreneur, Andrea focused her lens on the cannabis arena bouyed by her successful integration of cannabis remedies to manage the various symptoms of perimenopause, and a desire to share this success with others. Andrea’s history includes progressive community businesses in food services, retail, and health. Now a passionate proponent of medical marijuana, Andrea is co-founder of the Village dispensary, and a chairperson for Women Grow’s Vancouver chapter. Learn more….

Paula Doyle Weigel is living her life on Purpose every minute of everyday. Paula has “woke up” to why she is here and her role in this lifetime. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2012, Paula chose a path that would require research, determination and surrender. Learn more….

Alison Draisin is the CEO of Ettalew’s Edibles, which has won multiple national awards for their gourmet edibles. As a grower and extractor, Alison employs a variety of methods for infusing tasty, potent, goodies. Learn more…

Matthew A. Ellis, President and Lead Designer at ExtractionTek Solutions located in Denver, Colorado. He is widely recognized as the expert on hydrocarbon extraction equipment for the cannabis industry. Matthew co-founded Organa Labs, Colorado’s first licensed Manufacturer of Infused Products in 2008. Learn more…

Alyse Gabriel is an advocate for the spiritual/religious use of Cannabis and other Spirit plant medicines such as Ayahuasca and Psilocybin. She was introduced to Cannabis as a teenager growing up in Vancouver, B.C., and has since been on a journey to discover and share the myriad medicinal benefits and creative applications this sacred plant has to offer. Learn more…

Andrew Gordon currently serves as Community Integration Director for Apollo Medical Centre. He specializes in operational efficiency, patient relations, community partnerships and CAMCD compliance. Andrew has a degree in Political Science from UVIC, and is a graduate of BCIT’s Non-Profit Management Program. Learn more…

Mark Haden is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and teaches in the UBC school of Population and Public Health, Nursing, Social Work and Medicine. He is the Chair of the Board of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS Canada). Learn more…

Graham Hancock is the author of the major international non-fiction bestsellers The Sign and the Seal, Fingerprints of the Gods, The Message of the Sphinx, Heaven’s Mirror, Underworld and Supernatural, and of the epic adventure novels Entangled andWar God. His books have sold more than seven million copies worldwide and have been translated into thirty languages. Learn more…

Dave is an award-winning syndicated columnist featured in several major newspapers across the United States and Canada, and is a recipient of the prestigious Canadian Community Newspaper Association columnist of the year award. As a doctor in the military he served onboard a ship as a surgeon in the Persian Gulf War. Learn more…

Mowgli Holmes a molecular and evolutionary biologist. He has a PhD from Columbia University, where he was a National Research Service Award Fellow. He is a founding board member of the Cannabis Safety Institute and the Open Cannabis Project, and is Chair of the Oregon State Cannabis Research Task Force. Learn More…

Originally from the United Kingdom, David grew up as an active participant in the family nursery business working beside both his grandfather and father. He then subsequently served in the Royal Air Force for over 20 years. He left as a senior officer in 2002 and immigrated with his family to Canada. Learn more…

After spending 15 years in renewable energy, Jeremy entered the cannabis space to sink his teeth into a green industry where innovation and social justice are key. Jeremy recognized the opportunities that the end of prohibition presented and set out to ensure that these opportunities were available to middle class Canadians. Learn more…

Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter, author, educator and TV personality who promotes natural, plant-based medicines and sustainable global trade that protects the natural environment and supports indigenous cultures. He has conducted medicinal plant research in over 45 countries and lectures extensively on holistic wellness and botanical medicines throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more…

Philip Kwong is a 26 year old entrepreneur and one of the owners of Acquire Mobile Solutions. At the age of 23 Philip ran his first business: a bowling alley with a connecting restaurant. It was during this time that Philip lost his vision in his right eye. Learn more…

Travis Lane With almost two decades of experience working with cannabis, Travis Lane has established himself as an optimistic voice for future of the industry. He started as a young, small-time cultivator. Over the years, he has involved himself in many facets of cannabis production and distribution, from cultivation and breeding, to dispensary management and media publishing. Learn more…

Dana Larsen is a well-known Vancouver cannabis activist, businessman and politician. He served ten years as editor of Cannabis Culture Magazine, is the co-founder of the Vancouver Seed Bank, founder of the Vancouver Dispensary Society, and was Vice President of the Canadian Association of Cannabis Dispensaries. Learn more…

Robert W.E. Laurie is an international lawyer, writer and speaker. Robert’s legal practice focuses on issues related to cannabis, encompassing the areas of business law, administrative and family litigation, and criminal defence. Learn more…

Martin A. Lee is the cofounder and director of Project CBD, an educational service that reports on cannabis science, therapeutics and political economy. A widely published writer, Lee is the author of Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana – Medical, Recreational and Scientific, winner of the American Botanical Council’s James A. Duke Award for Excellence in Botanical Literature. Learn more…

Dieter MacPherson has nearly a decade of experience in the Cannabis Industry. He has been instrumental to the success of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, a non-profit, compassion club that he helped to transition in 2012. Dieter also founded Canlio LTD, a cannabis tech company that allows for internal data collection within the cannabis industry to drive policy creation, research and development. Learn more…

David Malmo-Levine is a marijuana/freedom activist. He ran an organization in East Vancouver called the Harm Reduction Club, which attempts to reduce the harm associated with marijuana use by educating users and the public about the drug and provide the drug at cost. Learn more…

Siobhan McCarthy’s is an Award winning film and web series producer she, is the CEO and Executive Producer of blyssful PRODUCTIONS and red trike media inc.

A celebrated innovative, transdisciplinary artist and educator, McCarthy produced WAM, BC’s first International Disability Media festival through Kickstart Disability Arts when she was their Co-Artistic Director. Siobhan has been the Production Manager of the Vancouver International Film Festival Industry Forum for almost two decades. She has a slate of film, television, and web properties in development. Learn more…

Dr Bob Melamede is the retired Chairman of the Biology department, University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He is also the retired Founder, President, and CEO of Cannabis Science. Learn more…

Anna C Owen has enjoyed working for several years for the hemp cause with various companies, grassroots campaigns and organizations. It began in 2010 when she visited the Canadian hemp fields to research the industry during her studies at Humboldt State University. Learn more…

David Remillard is a medical cannabis patient under the ACMPR and former MMAR. He has experience with growing cannabis and making topical and edible preparations. He utilizes cannabis to treat osteoarthritis pain and to reduce his use of standard pain medication. Learn more…

Bianca Rizzo is a Laboratory Technician for Agrima Botanicals working with their Plant Sex ID kit. She attended SFU where she studied cellular biology as well as plant biology. Bianca has worked for Agrima Botanicals for a little over a year now and is finding the Cannabis Industry to be an exciting field to be apart of. Learn more…

Cheryl Rose is the mother of Hayley Rose, Canada’s first legal under age MMAR patient in 2008. As a co-founder of the Hayley Rose Foundation, she advocates for patients in need of fair access. Cheryl has been instrumental in some amazing transformations within the medical field regarding, protocols and training for the administration of cannabis with Vancouver Coastal Health, public school boards, out reach programs, care homes and hospitals. Learn more…

Ethan Russo, MD, is a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher, and Medical Director of PHYTECS, a biotechnology company researching and developing innovative approaches targeting the human Endocannabinoid system. Previously, from 2003-2014, he served as Senior Medical Advisor and study physician to GW Pharmaceuticals for numerous Phase I-III clinical trials of Sativex® for pain and MS, and initial studies of Epidiolex® for intractable epilepsy. Learn more…

Marcus “Bubbleman” Richardson is a pioneer in the field of medical Cannabis, as well as an entrepreneur, macro photographer, and founder of Freshheadies, Ltd., which sells the highest quality water extraction system available. He is also one of the founders of Jamaican based company Cannabinoid Research and Development. Learn more…

Dr. Natasha Ryz, PhD, MSc, BSc, is an entrepreneur and researcher studying how cannabis can improve health. Natasha has a PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of British Columbia and is a Vanier scholar. Learn more…

Jamie Shaw is both a former Director, and former staff of the BC Compassion Club Society (BCCCS), where her work was comprised of various roles including communications beginning in 2012. Jamie has also served three terms on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries (CAMCD), two and a half of those as President. Learn more…

John Sheldon (johnsheldon.com), a master guitarist and transformational songwriter, is celebrating his 50th year of writing, composing and performing music. His constantly evolving, cannabis-inspired art layers music, sound, and storytelling to take listeners on journeys through life’s elemental forces, from the earth’s molten center, through the atmosphere, into space, and back. John combines his mastery with a wide range of guitar styles, from folk to classical to blues to Jimi Hendrix, with real-time voices for a unique world of music and feeling. Learn more…

Ruth Shamai’s, Ruth Shamai is one of Canada’s hemp pioneers, who started working with hemp in the early 1990s. Ruth was active in the movement that helped legalize industrial hemp in Canada, which they achieved in 1998.

In Ruth’s words, “Hemp is a plant that can have tremendous benefits for our farmers, our environment, our economy – and our personal health.” Learn more…

Susan Sheldon, a classically trained landscape architect and Master Gardener designs vibrant holistic landscapes she calls “Living Spirit Gardens,” where people can reconnect with the abundant life of a symbiotically healthy eco-system Now that cannabis is legal in Massachusetts, her gardens often include organic cannabis plants. Susan’s horticulture philosophy celebrates plant intelligence and demonstrates that plants thrive outdoors where they are free to soak in sunlight and dance in the wind, their roots reaching out into a rich, complex, living soil. Learn more…

Dr. Spooner received a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Victoria in 1991 and his ND from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998. Dr. Spooner sits on the Board of Directors of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC and is adjunct faculty at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver. He is the owner of Paradigm Naturopathic Medicine and currently in private practice in Vernon BC. Learn more…

Bruce Taylor resides on Cortes Island and is currently being of service to others through acting as a spiritual guide. A spiritual guide is one who has connected to his or her own inner guide and can support others in connecting to their own inner guide. He offers one on one guidance, facilitated discussions, and awareness retreats. Learn more…

Jonathan Valdman is an entrepreneur, consultant and one of the Cannabis industry’s most recognizable experts on permaculture, sustainability and Best Management Practices. He has been farming organically for over twenty years. Learn more…

Zach Walsh, PhD, RPsych is an Associate Professor of Psychology at UBC, Director of the Therapeutic, Recreational, and Problematic Substance Use lab, and a registered clinical psychologist. Zach has published more than 40 articles and book chapters on topics related to substance use, personality, and mental health, and his work has been supported by grants and awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health Canada, BC Interior Health, the American Psychological Association, and others. Learn more…

Selena Wong, has been a long time advocate for conscious cannabis cultivation, and is dedicated to nurturing the intimate, sacred relationship between Cannabis, grower, medicine maker, and consumer. Selena is living history, integrating ancient cultivation techniques & relational insights with Cannabis as a Sacred Plant Medicine in these modern times. Learn more…

Semir Yusuf’s introduction to yoga and cannabis occurred simultaneously in Toronto by one of Canada’s Ganja Yoga pioneers, Lu Pancini, in 2012. This powerful combination showed him the reality of his body and mind’s state and with dedicated practice, he experienced the restorative and preventative health benefits of Yoga. Learn more…

Corrie Yelland used cannabis oil extract to cure herself of rare forms of cancer. She was diagnosed in July 2011 with Anal Cancer and was given 2-4 months to live if she did not do radiation. The doctor told her she had a “death wish”, that she was going to die and walked out. Learn more…

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About CHCE

CHCE 2017 is into its third year! The event has grown since its inception in 2015, and last year became the largest Cannabis Conference in Canada, with over 900 attendees who visited the 60+ Expo and participated in two days of scientific presentations and panel discussions.